Gov. Whitmer Extends State Emergency to Osceola County Following Extreme Winter Weather

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer added Osceola County to the list of seven counties already under a state of emergency declared March 17 to assist in response and recovery efforts following extreme winter weather.

"Extending the state of emergency to Osceola County frees up additional state resources for the area, especially our crews from the Michigan Department of Transportation to help clear roads," said Governor Whitmer. "It has been all hands on deck since the storm hit, and we will continue to support northern Michigan as recovery efforts carry on."

Since the initial declaration, Osceola County has requested additional resources to meet their emergency response needs. Osceola County reported more than 40% of households and businesses without power, along with heavy debris, downed power lines, impassable roads, and an extraordinary public safety response.

Counties under the state of emergency now include Alcona, Alpena, Delta, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Wexford and Osceola.

A winter storm system on March 15-16 dropped two to four feet of snow across much of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Ice accumulation also caused widespread or severe damage in several counties. Local officials report impassable, snow-covered roads, trees down and downed power lines across the region. Power outages are also reported, with several counties reporting the majority of residents without power.

By declaring a state of emergency, the governor has authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected counties. The MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) is coordinating the state's emergency response through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

The declaration also allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan's Emergency Management Act (Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended). The funding helps local governments cover emergency response costs and repair public infrastructure damaged by the storms.

For more information on the current SEOC activation follow MSP/EMHSD on X and Facebook. For tips on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready.

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